Those lucky enough to receive a chocolate gift hamper may be interested to know the contents can offer health benefits.

According to research carried out buy investigators at the University of Adelaide in Australia, dark chocolate consumption for those with hypertension can result in lower blood pressure.

The scientists looked at data collected from 15 separate studies and considered the effects of flavanols - compounds found in chocolate that cause dilation of blood vessels - on blood pressure.

Results from the analysis have been published in the open access journal BMC Medicine.

Dr Karen Ried, lead author of the investigation, said: "We've found that consumption can significantly, albeit modestly, reduce blood pressure for people with high blood pressure but not for people with normal blood pressure."

Experts from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in Paris recently discovered red wine can help a person stay slim as it contains anti-obesity properties.